Advances in GDGT research in Chinese marginal seas: A review

Archaeal and bacterial glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGTs) play a unique role in discerning the biogeochemical processes and climate change in terrestrial (e.g. soil, peat, stalagmites, lakes, rivers, hot springs) and marine environments. Organic proxies based on GDGTs (e.g. TEX86, MBT/CBT and BIT) have made impressive applications in the open ocean and terrestrial environments. However, the applicability of these proxies in marginal seas has not been thoroughly evaluated, which is necessary given the complexity and dynamics of these systems, such as organic matter (OM) flux, hydrodynamic conditions, and human impact. This review aims to summarize recent studies of GDGTs and GDGT-based proxies in the Chinese marginal seas (CMS), which are characterized by diverse gradient in terrigenous supplies and ocean productivity and hold rich information on climate and sea level changes, ocean current dynamics, sedimentary evolution and biogeochemical processes.